Method and apparatus for weaving multistrand fabric



- Oct. 19 1926.

1,603,982 F. a. RILEY METH OD AND APPARATUS FOR WEAVING MULTISTRAND FABRIC Filed, July 12, 1921 '4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 19', 1926.

F. B. RILEY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WEAVING MULTISTRAND FABRIC Filed July 12, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet :5

Oct. 19,1926. 1,603,982

. F. B. RILEY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WEAVING MULTISTRAND FABRIC F 12 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 kkkaimu I with/e66.-

Patented oct. 19, 192a. V

UNITED STATES FRANCIS B. RILEY, NEWTON CENTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOB WEAVING- MULTISTRAND FABRIC.

Application filed July 12,

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus more particularly adapted for the production of fabrics having strands of non-flaccid material.

' One object of the present invention is to devise a new method by. which fabrics in a large variety of both new" and old designs may be produced efficiently and rapidly.

Another. object of the present invention is v to provide a new and improved form of apparatus for the production of fabrics composed of flaccid or non-flaccid materials,

' which enables the formation of the fabric drawings.

to be accomplished rapidly and with a minimum of skill upon the part of the operator. With these objects in view, one feature of the invention consists in forming a shed by the deflection in opposite directions of strands angularly arranged with respect to one another and inserting a cross strand in the shed thus formed to lock or interlace the three strands together into a fabric.

'According to one form of the invention two sets of diagonal strands lying in different planes are interlaced with a third set of cross strands to form a fabric having a characteristic appearance, as shown in the The fact that the two sets of diagonal strands are not in themselves interlaced but are interlaced only with the cross strands causes the fabric produced according to the present invention to differ markedly in construction. and appearance from other fabrics previously known.

If so desired, additional strands may be interwoven into the fabric in the same operation to strengthen the fabric or to introduce such variations in design as may be desired by the user. i

A further feature of the invention by which the above described objects may be accomplished relates to the provision of cooperating guide members so designed and arranged with respect to one another that diagonal strands initially engaged at one end are caused to progress transversely of the fabric simultaneously with the weaving of the strands into the fabric. According to the simplest and most efficient form of the invention yet devised, the diagonal strands may be made of a predetermined length in accordance with the desired width of the fabric so that upon feeding the strands in at one side of the fabric thev are automatically interwoven therein to form a fabric of uniform width without further manipula- 1921. Serial No. 484,199.

tion. The handling of diagonal strands in this manner is conveniently accomplished by the provision of a helical guide groove formed in the periphery of each roll and having the desired inclination and pitch to cause the correct alignment of the strands in the fabric. The grooved rolls may serve both to guide the strands and to feed the fabric through the machine, or they may serve merely as guiding means. for the diagonal and longitudinal strands in conjunction with the auxiliary feeding mechanism, or the rolls, if so desired, may be operated to alternately guide and feed the strands.

A further feature of the present invention contemplates the provision of means for guiding a plurality of strands in diagonal and longitudinal paths, together with mechanism for simultaneously deflecting the strands to form a shed for the passage therethrough of interlocking cross strands. In one form of the invention, the guiding mechanism is arranged to guide two sets of diagonal strands extending in opposite directions and one set longitudinally of the length of the fabric and the shed forming mechanism may be designed to be shifted laterally between each shed forming operation to enable different sets of diagonal and longitudinal strands to be alternately engaged thereby.

Still further features of the invention consist in certain novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed, the advantages of which will-be obvious to those skilled in the art from the following description. v

In the drawings illustrating a machine in which the invention is preferably embodied and by which the present method may be practiced, Fig. 1 isa front elevation ofthe- 7 machine with the mid portion thereof broken away; Fig. 2 is a detail in side; elevation of the mechanism for controlling the in-' sertion of the weft or cross strands; Fig. 3 is a plan of the portion from above with the machine broken away; Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 44' of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a detail in section showingthe shed forming mechanism; Fig. 6 is a detail showing a portion of the cams for actuatingthe shed forming mechanism; 'Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 77'of Fig. 1; Flg. 8 is an I knife and its actuating mechanism by which i Fig. 8; and Fig. 10 is a detail showing the manner of forming the shed.

The present invention comprises essentially cooperating guide members for directing a plurality of strands in diagonal paths in conjunction 'with shed forming mechanism operating in timed relation theretofor positively deflecting the strands in a manner to produce a passage extendingacross the fab ric for the insertion therein of interlocking cross strands. In the preferred form of the invention the .movement of the strands through the guide mechanism is intermittent and in timed relation to the formation of the shed, the diagonal and longitudinal strands being held stationary during the deflection thereof-and the insertion of the cross strands. After the insertion of a cross strand, the diagonal and longitudinal strands are released and [thefabri'c again advanced into position for the formation of the next shed opening, the operations taking place in cyclicrepetition during the formation of the fabric.

Referring the drawings the machine illustrated therein is equipped to weave either a three or a four-strand fabric. The

three-strand fabric may comprise a longitudinal strand, an oblique strand and a' cross strand, which may extend at right angles or obliquely .to the length of the fabric, or it .may comprise two oblique strands woven together by a cross strand. The four-strand fabric may comprise two oblique strands, a longitudinal strand and'a cross strand for weaving together the other three strands. The machine comprises a frame 10 in which two guide rolls 12, 14 are journaled. The

. guide rolls 12, 14 are each provided with a mounted upon a drive shaft 18 throug in-' helical groove, as shown in Fig. 1, of a size adapted to receive a strand and to guide the same as it is passed between'the rolls. The guide rolls are driven from a pulle 16 I. tel-meshing gears 20 to a vertical shaft 22 at one side of the machine frame. The vertical shaft 22 is provided with a worm 24 engaging a worm wheel 26 upon a lower cam shaft 28. The lower cam shaft 28 is -pro vided with a Geneva gear 30 cooperating with a Geneva pinion 32 on the lower guide roll shaft 34. The revolutions of the lower guide roll are transmitted to the upper guide roll through spur gears 36, 38. The design of the Geneva gear and its Geneva pinion is such as to intermittently rotate the guide rolls in timed relation'to the shed forming mechanism, as will be described. A stationary guide bar 40'is secured to the loom frame and extends laterally in front of the guide rolls,'being positioned opposite the nip of the rolls. Referring to Fig.v 3, in preparing the machine for operation a series of strands ,left as shown in Fig. 3 and are hereinafter referred to as the upper diagonal strands.

A second seriesof strands are arranged with their ends received within the helical groove in the lower guide roll and between the top of the lower guide roll and the bottom of the stationary guide bar. These strands extend obliquely to theright, viewing Fig. 3, and are hereinafter referred to as the lower diagonal strands. In weaving a four-strand fabric the longitudinal strands are inserted through a series of slots in the stationary guide bar and are positioned between the up per and lower, diagonal strands. The relative position of the upper and lower diagonal strands and the longitudinal strands is shown in Fig. 4. After the strands have been thus positioned with their ends between the guide rolls they are moved through'the I same in any convenient manner, as-for example by hand, and the shed forming mecha-' nism illustrated by the general reference 45 is then operated to depress and raise adjacent portions of adjacent diagonal strands, at the same time bending the longitudinal strands included between. the diagonal strands to form a shed opening extending.

from one side of the machine to the other. A cross strand is then inserted and thereafter the shed is closed. After the fabric i has been initially started inthe machine, the.

continued advancement may be caused to take place either by the guide rolls, or,'in

the case of fabrics composed of soft, flaccid.

strands, by the provision of a feeding comb 50 or similar device adapted to engage in the interstices of the fabric.

The shed forming mechanism comprises a plurality of shed forming projections 60" formed upon the ends of a series of plungers 62. The plungers 62 slide in sup orting bars 64 which extend laterally of t e machine, as shown in Fig. 1, the ends thereof being supported in upright members 66.

Alternate shed forming projections are arranged to depress and raise adjacent portions of adjacent diagonalstr'ands. The upper ends of each of the plungers rest upon a controlling cam, the arrangement of a number of which is illustrated'in Fig. 6. The design of the cams by which the shed is formed is such that-the operation of all of the-shed forming projections takes place simultaneously so that all of thediagonal strands and the longitudinal strands included therebetween are alternately deflected and raised to form a shed at the same instant.

After the shed has thus been formed, prd vision is madefor inserting a cross strand through the open passage formed by the shed. For this purpose the cross strand is fed by feed rolls 70, 72, thrown into operation at the instant that the opening of the .shed has been completed by a cam 7 4 upon the extended end of the lower cam shaft, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The timing of this cam 74 is such as .to bring the high point of the cam into contact with the pivote'd bracket bywhich the lower feed roll is supported to thereby raise the lower feed roll into contact with the upper feed roll.

The lower feed roll is driven through a belt 78 from 'a pulley upon-the driving shaft, as shown in Fig. 1. The weft strand'passes from a supply drum 80 and is fed laterally through the open shed. Each shed forming projection is substantially U-shaped in cross section and in addition the successive projections are provided with oppositely inclined faces to guide and control the passage of the cross strand therethrough. As will be observedfrom an inspection of Fig. 5 of the drawings, the inclination of these faces tends to prevent the cross strand from engaging with the shed forming strands and in addition insures the passage of the strand through the shed without permitting the forward end of the strand to engage and catch either upon the edge of the shed forming projections or the diagonal strands. The formation of the shed forming projections in this manner is of considerable importance as it not only simplifies the insertion of the cross strands in a fiat fabric of the character shown but permits the formation of curved fabrics or fabrics in which the cross strands must be inserted in a curved path. The shape of the passage through these shed forming projections can be changed to accommodate material of various cross sections, and the ends of the secondary plungers 100 may be shaped to fit the strands against which they press. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that by a suitable arrangement of the shed formln projections a non-flaccid, resilient strand may be guided'in any path desired, whether curved or straight. After the filling strand has been inserted so that the end thereof is substantially flush with the lateral edge of the fabric, provision is made for severing the strand. For this purpose a knife is slidably received within a slotted bracket 86. The knife, is provided with a depending stem, the lower end of which rides upon a,

knife actuating cam 88 upon the lower cam shaft, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. As the cam shaft revolves to form the shed closing operation, as'will be described, the high point of the cam raises the knife and operates to sever the filling strand between the knife and the end face of the bracket, as

diagonal and longitudinal strands, the con-" trolling cams are so designed as to permit the two central shed forming projections to return to their normal position first and thereafter successive projections are returned working progressively from the center of the fabric to each side simultaneously. In this manner the cross strand is pulled in slightly toward the center of the fabric as each plunger is released. With certain kinds of strands, as for example with soft brass or reed strands havin a small degree of resiliency, it is desirable that the diagonal and longitudinal strands, after having been deflected to form the shed, be again forced back into a normal position so that the transverse strand may bend over and under the other strands and interweave uniformly. With some strands, as for example resilient metal strands, the resiliency of the material is suflicient to cause the strands to return or spring back toward normal position, therebycausing the transverse strand to bend and interweave uniformly', in which case the use of any apparatus to force them back is unnecessary. In order to mechanically force the longitudinal and diagonal strands back to their normal position if the character of the strands requires such forcing, a series of plungers arearranged to slide Within the supporting bars 64 and in such position with relation to the shed forming projections as to engage the strands of the open shed when they are actuated by their controlling cams. The design of the controlling cams is such that these secondary plungers operate simultaneously with the withdrawal of the corresponding shed forming projections as the shed is closed. As previously described, the shed forming projections are Withdrawn in sequence, starting with the central member and working toward the sides of the fabric. The secondary plungers therefore starting with the central are operated by their controlling cams to force the strands back into a normal position in the same sequence,

starting from the center and working simultaneously with the release of the corresponding plungers 62 toward the sides. After the two endmost strands have thus been returned to their normal position, all of the secondary plungers are slmultaneously re-" leased by their controlling cams. From the description thus far it will be apparent that after a cross strand has been laid in the open shed, the shed is closed progressively from the center toward each side simultaneously,

thereby drawing the cross strand taut, gripping and bending it progressively from the center toward the sides, thus producing a uniform bending or interlacing with the diagonal and longitudinal strands.

On certain designs of fabric, for instance that shown in Fig. 3 due to the fact that the fabric is fed or drawn through the machine in a direction normal to the axes of the guide rolls, provision must be made for relatively shifting the position of the several.

be obliged to deflect the lower strand, Wherea as it is necessary that the relative position of the shed forming projection and the fabric should be such as to cause it to deflect successive portions of upper strands only.

In order to shift the relative position of the fabric and the shed forming projections, provision is. made for laterally moving the cam shafts and thereby .all of the shed forming projections. At one advance of the fabric the shafts and projections are shifted to the left, viewing Fig. 3. At the next advance they are returned into normal position. For this purpose the vertical bars, in which the ends of the supporting bars' for the shed forming plungers are fixed, are held from movement relatively to the respective cam shafts by collars, as shown in Fig. 1. The right-hand bar is provided with cam rolls at near the top and bottom thereof which engage cam grooves'in cams mounted upon studs extended from the machine frame, as shown in Fig. 7. The cams are rotated from the driven cam shafts by spur gears. Ihe design of the cam groove is such frame and is actuated from a feed shaft driven from the main driving shaft. The

having two rises, the first rise operating to oscillate the lever to cause an advance 'movement of the comb corresponding to a distance between successive weft strands, and the second r se operating to cause movement of the comb through a second similar I step; In this manner the fabric is advanced through two successive steps at each revolution of the cam. After the second advance the comb is returned two steps, the teeth sliding under the fabric. It is necessary on the particular design of fabric herein illustrated that the comb should advance two steps at a time in order that opportunity be An inspection of Fig. 3 indi-- feed of the fabric shall be uniform and predetermined, and that both sides of the fabric shall be properly aligned with the shed forming mechanism.

The machine illustrated produces a fabric consisting of interwoven strands of steel, brass, reed, cane and other non-flaccid materials. These strands may be of various cross section, for instance round, flat, square, halfround, etc. This non-flaccid type of fabric may be usefully employed in the same manner as the fabric now madeof wire, reed, wood, cane, etc., and, due to the new designs of fabric which the machine will weave, the field of usefulness is far greater than the field of looms now usedfor weaving nonflaccid materials. however, that the present invention is not limited to the productionof fabrics embodying strands of non-flaccid material, as wire,

reed, cane, wood, etc.,but that certain features of the present invention have equal utility in connection with the production of fabrics embodying flaccid strands, such as strands formed of cotton, yarn, twine and similar materials.

It should be understood that throughout the specificationand claims the term insertion" when employed in connection with the cross strands, is intended to cover the insertion of these strands either by pushing them through the fabric, as shown in the drawings, or by engagement with the end of the strand and pulling it through the fabric. Furthermore it should be understood that the diagonalstrands, so-called, are intended to cover any and all strands extending generally in the direction ofthe length of the fabric diagonally with relation to one another and the cross strands. so-called, are in-v It should be understood,

tended to cover locking strands xt nding not essential except so far as speci ed in the claims and may be changed or modified without departing from the broader features of the invention.

The invention having been described, what is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for producing fabrics of non-flaccid material comprising guide mech-- 'amsm for mamtaimng a predetermined angular position -of two sets of diagonal strands and a set of longitudinal strands positioned in different adjacent planes, means for forming a continuous and relatively shallow shed passage between the diagonal Strands in close proximity to the guiding .point for the insertion of a cross locking mg a predetermined angular .position of two sets of diagonal, non-flaccid strands positioned in different adjacent planes, means for formin a continuous and relatively shallow shed passage between the diagonal strands in close proximity to the uiding points for the insertion of a cross ocking strand, means for inserting a cross locking strand in the shed passage, and means for severing the stand thus inserted.

4. An apparatus for producing fabric comrising means for guiding two series of 'iagonal strands extending 'j lengthwise of the fabric, means for deflecting the strands in opposite directions to produce .a shed passage, mechanism for intermittently actuating the deflecting means, and means for relatively shifting the guiding means and deflecting means transversel of the fabric between the formation 0 successive shedpas sages.

5. An apparatus for producing fabric comrising guide mechamsmfor two sets of diagonal strands extending in dlfierent directions and a set of longitudinal strands, means for-maintaining the strands in adjaof the shed formin cent superimposed planes, means for deflecting the diagonal and longitudinal strands to form a continuous shed passage in close proximity to the guiding point, and mechanism for operating the deflect-ing means in predetermined time in the operation of the machine.

6. An apparatus for producing fabric comprising a'guide roll having a helical guid-.

ing groove formed in the periphery adapted to receive and maintain a predetermined angular relation of a series of diagonal non-flaccid strands, shed forming mechanism operating in close proximity to the guide roll, and means for operating the shed forming mechanism intermittently to form a relatively shallow shed passage.

7. An apparatus for producing fabric comprising a series of diagonal guiding slots for receiving and'guidin'g strands extending diagonally of the' fabric, cooperating shed forming members, means for moving the members in opposite directions to deflect the strands and form successive shed 0 enings, and means for shifing themem ers transversely between the formation of successive shed openings.

8. An apparatus for producing fabric comprising means for guiding a series of strands lengthwise of the fabric, a series of shed forming members adapted to engage and deflect the strands to form a shed passage means for successively operating the shed forming members transversely of the fabric, a series of bending members designed to engage with the strands after members, and means for successively operating the bending members transversely of the fabric.

9. An apparatus for producing fabric comprising means for guiding a series of strands lengthwise of the fabric, shed forming mechanism adapted to deflectthe strands and produce a shed passage for (the insertion of a cross strand, and bending mechanism operating to engage and return the strands in amanner to impart a wavy contour to the cross strand.

10. An apparatus for producing fabrics ;taining the diagonal strands in predetermined relation to one another as they are moved through the shed forming mechanism, means for shifting the shed forming mechanism laterally to cause it ialternately to deflect and raise successive portions of each diagonal strand to form successive sheds, and means for through the sheds; thus formed. v I 4 11, An apparatus for-producing fabrics having, in combination; shed forming 'mech means", as intermittently.- advancing inserting cross strands the operation a plurality of diagonal and longitudinal strands in a lengthwise direction through the shed forming mechanism, .means for maintaining the diagonal-and longitudinal strands in predetermined relation to one another as they are moved through the shed forming mechanism, means for shifting the shed forming mechanism laterally to cause it alternately to deflect and raise successive form a shed opening in the strands in close proximity [to the roll to permit the insertion of a locking strand.

13. An apparatus for producing fabric comprising means for guiding a series of strands lengthwise of the fabric, shed forming mechanism adapted to deflect the strands and produce a shed passage for the insertion of a cross strand, and bending mechanism designed to progressively engage with the strands from the central portion of the fabric outwardly to the sides and impart a wavy contour to the cross strand.

14. An apparatus for producing fabric comprising two series of shed forming members positioned upon opposite sides of the fabric, individual shed formers being onset with relation to one another to engage different strands, means for reciprocating the shed formers, a series of bending members positioned opposite the shed formers, and means for reciprocating the bending members to cause enga ement with the strands after their release y the shed formers.

15. An apparatus for producing fabrics comprising guide rolls for maintaining a predetermined an 'ular position of a lurality of sets of diagonal and longitudinal non-flaccid strands positioned in different vplanes, cooperating sets of shed forming projections designed to engage with the strands in close proximity to the guide rolls and form a continuous shed passage therebetween for the. insertion of a cross locking strand, and means for intermittently rotating the guide rolls in timed relation to the operation of the shed forming projections. 16. A method of forming a diagonal strand fabric of non-flaccid material which consists in producing successive relativel shallow shed openings in 'two sets ofpara the strands across the .taining the predetermined arrangement,

means for guiding a plurality of diagonal.

strands in a predetermined relationship, means for traversing the guiding points of fa ric while mainmeans for insertingsuccessive cross strands between movements of the diagonal strands,

and means engaging in the mesh of the com pleted fabric for positively insuring a predetermined and uniform feed thereof.

18. An apparatus for producing fabrics of non-flaccid, spaced strands, comprisin means for guiding a pluralityof diagona strands in a predetermined relationship, means for traversing the guiding points of the strands across the fabric while maintaining the predetermined arrangement, means for inserting successive cross strands between movements of the diagona'lstrands, a series of comb fingers engaging in the mesh of the fabric across its width, and means for operating the fingers in timed relation between the insertion of the cross strands.

19. An apparatus for producing fabrics of non-flaccid, spaced strands, comprisin means for guiding a plurality of diagona strands in a predetermined relationship,

gether in feeding relation to insert a cross strand at the completion of each shed openmg.

'20. An apparatus for producing fabrics of non-flaccid, spaced strands,,comprisin means for guiding a plurality of diagona strands in a predeterminedv relationship, means for traversinthe guiding points of the strands across t e fabrics while mainin close proximity to the guiding points, means for automatically inserting cross strands at the completion of the shed openings, and means for automatically severing each cross strand after insertion at the edge tain'ing the predetermined arrangement, means for forming successive shed openings.

strand fabric of non-flaccid material which of the said diagonal and longitudinal consists in producing successive relatively strands with respect to one another and to 10 shallow shed openings in a plurality of sets the strands of the cooperatin set during of parallel strands extending diagonally to the lengthwise progression of t e strands to opposite sides of the fabric and longitudiinterlock all of the strands and completely nally of the fabric, inserting locking form the fabric in a single continuous operstrands in the shed openings thus formed, ation.:

and maintaining a predetermined direction FRANCIS B. RILEY. 

